ATLANTA -- A rare run-scoring hit from Bartolo Colon helped give the New York Mets a boost going into their home opener.Colon helped himself with his first RBI in a decade, Daniel Murphy hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the eighth inning and the Mets beat Atlanta 4-3 Sunday, sending the Braves to their first loss this season.Michael Cuddyer's two-run homer in the first inning gave Colon the early lead, but the burly pitcher's bloop single for a 3-2 lead in the fourth was the most-discussed hit. 
"When he puts it in play, he gets a cheer, so when he gets a hit it's a double cheer," Mets manager Terry Collins said.The Mets return from a 3-3 trip for their home opener against the Phillies on Monday.Colon lost his batting helmet and broke his bat when he punched the single into shallow right field to drive in Wilmer Flores from third base. With his helmet left behind in the batter's box, Colon grinned as he stood on first base following his first RBI since June 10, 2005, for the Los Angeles Angels against the Mets.Colon, 41, said he wasn't sure how long it had been since his last RBI."Maybe it was 20 years ago," he said through a translator, bullpen coach Ricky Bones.Colon's hit ended a 0-for-37 slump and was his sixth career RBI. He was only 2 for 62 (.032) with the Mets last year."He was the jack of all trades today," Cuddyer said. "He was fun to watch."Braves starter Alex Wood, who allowed three runs in 6 2/3 innings, said Colon "just wailed at a fastball and broke his bat and hit a bloop."Colon led 3-2 before Jonny Gomes' seventh-inning homer just inside the left-field pole. Colon (2-0) allowed three runs and six hits in seven innings.Juan Jaime (0-1) walked Curtis Granderson and Anthony Recker opening the eighth. Wilmer Flores sacrificed, and Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez ordered an intentional walk to Ruben Tejada, loading the bases.Left-hander Andrew McKirahan, making his major league debut, threw two quick strikes before giving up Murphy's fly ball.Colon gave up a two-run triple to Andrelton Simmons in the second.
"When he puts it in play, he gets a cheer, so when he gets a hit it's a double cheer," Mets manager Terry Collins said.The Mets return from a 3-3 trip for their home opener against the Phillies on Monday.Colon lost his batting helmet and broke his bat when he punched the single into shallow right field to drive in Wilmer Flores from third base. With his helmet left behind in the batter's box, Colon grinned as he stood on first base following his first RBI since June 10, 2005, for the Los Angeles Angels against the Mets.Colon, 41, said he wasn't sure how long it had been since his last RBI."Maybe it was 20 years ago," he said through a translator, bullpen coach Ricky Bones.Colon's hit ended a 0-for-37 slump and was his sixth career RBI. He was only 2 for 62 (.032) with the Mets last year."He was the jack of all trades today," Cuddyer said. "He was fun to watch."Braves starter Alex Wood, who allowed three runs in 6 2/3 innings, said Colon "just wailed at a fastball and broke his bat and hit a bloop."Colon led 3-2 before Jonny Gomes' seventh-inning homer just inside the left-field pole. Colon (2-0) allowed three runs and six hits in seven innings.Juan Jaime (0-1) walked Curtis Granderson and Anthony Recker opening the eighth. Wilmer Flores sacrificed, and Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez ordered an intentional walk to Ruben Tejada, loading the bases.Left-hander Andrew McKirahan, making his major league debut, threw two quick strikes before giving up Murphy's fly ball.Colon gave up a two-run triple to Andrelton Simmons in the second.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
